Tottenham vs Rennes clash OFF, vaccine passports or negative test for Prem games, Chelsea transfer news

NEW TOON

Rob Lee urged Newcastle to sign English trio Jesse Lingard, James Tarkowski and Kieran Trippier in January.

The former Toon midfielder warned that mega rich Newcastle will be relegated unless they splash the cash when the transfer window opens.

Lee said: “If they keep this team, as much as they’ve improved under Eddie Howe, they’ll go down without a doubt. They need people to help them.

“I’d like to see them sign Jesse Lingard – he did brilliantly at West Ham.

“James Tarkowski at Burnley, it’s well known that he can leave for a certain amount of money.

“Kieran Trippier [at Atletico Madrid], he’d like to come back from Spain and Newcastle would be a great opportunity for him.

“So they need to sign those sorts of players that have played in the Premier League and will hit the ground running.”

NEW RESTRICTIONS 

Prem clubs are involved in another ruck with League chiefs over who refunds fans who miss games because of the latest Covid restrictions.

PM Boris Johnson confirmed the introduction of the Government’s Plan B against the Omicron variant in Downing Street.

That will see “vaccine passports” introduced for entry to all sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000 from Wednesday.

Initially, fans will have to show they are double vaccinated or proof of a negative test within 24 hours of a game to be allowed entry.

It is not clear if that means every fan being checked or a continuation of spot tests, with the Government weighing up whether it should delegate decisions to local Safety Advisory Groups to make a final call.

But a number of Prem clubs fear that fans may want rebates on their match or season tickets if they feel the restrictions are too onerous.

That might become even more pressing if, as the PM hinted on Wednesday, the Government does move to a policy of mandatory vaccinations.

And the clubs are urging Prem chiefs to stump up the money rather than seeing their funds take another Covid hit.

EL OF A PLAYER

Arsenal star Mohamed Eleny is a January transfer target for mega-rich Newcastle, according to reports.

The Egyptian midfielder has been a bit-part player under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta since he took charge.

He has been resigned to the substitutes bench this season, and has barely featured in the Premier League.

And the Mirror report that Toon chief Eddie Howe is targeting the 29-year-old in a deal next month.

His contract runs out next June, but the Magpies want to land him six months earlier for a small fee.

Elneny is one of five players Howe is understood to have put on his wishlist ahead of the new transfer window.

ONE OF THE BEST

Manchester United legend Andy Cole doesn’t think he gets the credit for his career despite being one of the ‘best striker’s of his generation.’

Cole scored 187 goals in 414 Premier League games for United and he feels he should be mentioned among the greats.

Speaking to the Original Penguin X Campaign Against Living Miserably Under The Surface podcast, Cole said: “No, I’m very vocal about it, but I don’t get the credit I deserve for my footballing career.

“When it comes to being a goal scorer, I was one of the best of my generation, it’s that simple.

“I know that. I’m not going to have anyone try and fudge that and tell me anything else.”

LET HIM GO

Furious Barcelona fans called for Clement Lenglet’s contract to be ripped up as he was seen laughing with Robert Lewandowski after the Catalans crashed out the Champions League.

Barca were walloped 3-0 in Germany on Wednesday and ended up finishing third in Group E – their earliest Champions League exit for 21 years.

‘P***** off’ Barca boss Xavi blasted his players after the defeat and urged them to ‘start from scratch’ in the Europa League.

But the result did not appear to affect Lenglet as much – as he was seen sharing a joke with Bayern goal machine Lewandowski after the final whistle.

The incident did not go down well with Barca fans already fuming at the European humiliation.

One tweeted: “Smiling after being knocked out in group stage? Rip his contract up tomorrow, let him walk for free. F**k outta here.”

Another added: “He’s lucky I am not the Barcelona president because he’d not get on the plane back with the team, and tomorrow, I’d terminate his contract.”

TIME TO MOVE JONG

Barcelona starlet Frenkie De Jong is being encouraged to quit the club, with Dutch legends arguing the Nou Camp is not the right fit for him.

The 24-year-old signed for Barcelona in 2019 but has failed to live up to the high expectations that fans put on him.

He has only scored one goal so far this season for Xavi’s side who currently sit 7th in the LaLiga table.

Former Dutch international footballers Ron Vlaar and Dirk Kuyt have both criticised the former Ajax man and have suggested that he would be best suited elsewhere.

De Jong has been linked recently with a move to Manchester United as new interim manager Ralph Rangnick plans to sign a number of players in January.

United reportedly want the 24-year-old for a cut-price of £47million, but Barcelona do not want to sell him for less than £60m as his contract does not run out until 2026.

He is said to be the ideal replacement for Paul Pogba, whose contract expires next summer.

OH MAN!

Man City could face a tricky Champions League last 16 draw against Atletico Madrid or Inter Milan.

Pep Guardiola’s side won Group A by a single point – pipping French giants Paris Saint-Germain to top spot despite a 2-1 defeat at RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Uefa rules state teams cannot draw clubs from their own country until the quarter-finals.

Nor can they face sides from their group in the last 16.

This rules out PSG who beat Club Brugge 4-1 on Tuesday.

And it also means all-Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are off the cards for now.

Having come top of their group, Guardiola’s men are in a pot with the other group winners and can only be drawn against runners up.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll avoid some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

SWEET 16 

Liverpool could have the easiest Champions League last 16 draw of all the Premier League clubs.

The Reds topped Group B after winning all six of their matches and they look set to avoid all of Europe’s big boys in the next round with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan the only ‘giants’ they can draw.

Uefa rules state teams cannot draw clubs from their own country until the quarter-finals.

Nor can they face sides from their group.

This rules out Atletico Madrid who finished second – 11 points behind the Reds.

And it also means all-Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are off the cards for now.

AZ IF

Glen Johnson can’t see Thomas Tuchel letting go of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta despite the defender’s contract ending next summer.

The Spaniard has yet to be offered a contract extension by the Blues, sparking rumours he may be on his way out Stamford Bridge.

But Johnson doubts Tuchel will let his prized asset leave without a fight.

He told Bettingodds.com: “First of all I don’t think Tuchel will let him go anyway. Azpilucueta’s one of those guys – it’s a strange thing to say – whereby it’s not that he’s happy to not play but he’s the sort of guy who will still do the right things when he’s not playing.

“He’ll keep the squad going and be there for everyone. Other people would just straight-up sulk and throw their toys out.”

BREAKING

Denmark legendary goalkeeper Lars Hogh has died at the age of 62.

Hogh spent his entire career playing for Odense, whom he led to an unforgettable victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Cup back in 1994.

He also stood out during Denmark’s impressive showing at the 1986 World Cup that saw them making it to the Last 16 after topping West Germany and Uruguay.

Tributes have been pouring in for the the Danish hero from a number of famous football personalities.

TOUGH TEST

All four Premier League teams competing in the Champions League are safely through to the knockout stages of the competition.

But some Prem outfits face easier draws than others, with Chelsea in particular at risk of landing a nightmare tie, and Manchester United also in danger of being handed a banana skin clash.

Liverpool, Manchester City and United all topped their groups, and the Blues too appeared on track for the same fate until Matchday Six.

Chelsea’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Zenit on Wednesday night means the defending champions are unseeded for the next round.

December 13 is the date for the Champions League last-sixteen draw, although the knockout stages to not get underway until February.

Teams who finished top of their group will be drawn against a team that finished second, and vice-versa.

And teams cannot be drawn against a team from the same nation, or against teams from their group.

So there won’t be any mouth-watering all-English ties to look forward to… yet.

OH MAN!

Manchester United could face a horror Champions League last 16 draw against Atletico Madrid or mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Devils won Group F after a 1-1 home draw with Young Boys on Wednesday night and focus has now switched to who they will play next.

Uefa rules state teams cannot draw clubs from their own country until the quarter-finals.

Nor can they face sides from their group in the last 16.

This rules out Villarreal or Atalanta – whichever one qualifies after their match was postponed because of snow on Wednesday.

And it also means all-Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are off the cards for now.

As winners of their group, Ralf Rangnick’s men are in a pot with the other group winners and can only be drawn against runners up.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll avoid some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

CAN LIV WITH THAT

Kalvin Phillips is ready to snub Manchester United for Liverpool in the summer.

The England international, 26, is a transfer target for the Red Devils who are desperate to bolster their midfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are also keen on the Leeds United midfielder, who was outstanding at Euro 2020 for the Three Lions.

However, Phillips’ loyalty towards his current employers has made him wary of a move to the Yorkshire side’s bitter rivals.

SunSport has learned he is unwilling to upset Leeds fans and harm his status at the club by making a switch to Old Trafford.

He believes they would, instead, be much more accepting of a move to Anfield if he looks to progress his career.

BREAKING

Uefa have insisted Tottenham’s Europa Conference League group stage tie with Rennes must go ahead.

Antonio Conte revealed Spurs have 13 positive Covid cases – eight players and five members of staff – which left them with ELEVEN fit senior players.

And after talks with Health Security Agency and the Government on Wednesday night, Tottenham announced the Group G clash was postponed, with the club’s Hotspur Way training ground closed.

French rivals Rennes – who had already touched down in London – insisted the game was NOT off until Uefa said so.

And Uefa have now confirmed the game is ON, meaning Tottenham face being dumped out of Europe if they forfeit the match.

Uefa said: “The match is due to take place as scheduled.

“For further information regarding Tottenham’s COVID situation, please contact the club.

“We have no other comment to make at this stage.”

AZ IF? 

Chelsea face the prospect of losing FOUR centre-backs in the summer with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta yet to pen an extension at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard, along with Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, is out of contract at the end of the season.

And Azpilicueta’s teammates have been left ‘bewildered’ as to why he has not been offered a new deal by the European champions, according to Eurosport.

With Rudiger and Christensen both the subject of intense speculation, Chelsea’s players had thought tying down Azpilicueta for another season would be a formality.

Rudiger has been rumoured to have ‘agreed’ a deal with Real Madrid, while Barcelona and AC Milan are monitoring Christensen.

But reports suggest a new contract is yet to be tabled, despite Azpilicueta himself being eager to stay on at Stamford Bridge.

LET THE GINI OUT

Arsenal could move for Georginio Wijnaldum as PSG’s ex-Liverpool midfielder ponders a swift Premier League return.

The Holland star is “not completely happy” at failing to start regularly for the French giants since his summer free transfer.

And Sky Sports suggest he would be interested in a January loan move back to England.

But it’s claimed PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is unwilling to lose him.

Former Newcastle ace Wijnaldum, 31, left Liverpool at the end of last season after his contract expired.

But since then only ten of his 20 appearances for PSG have been starts.

GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS!

You’re waking up to the aftermath of a night of high drama in the Champions League.

A complete shocker from keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen confirmed Barcelona’s earliest Champions League exit for 21 years.

The last time Barca failed to progress to the Champions League last 16 was way back in 2000-01.

That season, current manager Xavi was a fresh-faced 20-year-old in the team alongside Pep Guardiola in midfield.

In other results, Manchester United were already through as Group F winners but they failed to avenge their defeat at the hands of Young Boys back in September.

The Red Devils could only manage a 1-1 draw with the Swiss visitors as new boss Ralf Rangnick sent out his own youngsters at Old Trafford.

Chelsea missed out on the chance to top their group with a dramatic 3-3 draw away to Zenit St Petersburg.

And in other news, the Government confirmed plans to introduce vaccine passports at English football grounds as part of their ‘Plan B’ response to growing Covid-19 fears.

BUNGLING BARCA

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s embarrassing shocker confirmed woeful Barcelona’s earliest Champions League exit for 21 years.

The German, 29, allowed compatriot Leroy Sane’s long-range effort to slip through his hands just before half-time in the flop 3-0 defeat away at Bayern Munich.

The last time Barca failed to progress to the Champions League last-16 was way back in 2000-01.

That season, current manager Xavi was a fresh-faced 20-year-old in the team alongside Pep Guardiola in midfield.

AC Milan topped the group with Leeds, who went on to reach the semis, second, Barca third and Besiktas last.

Finishing third sees Barcelona drop into the Europa League where they could face the likes of Borussia Dortmund, West Ham or Leicester at some stage.

CONTE CRISIS

Tottenham’s Europa Conference League group stage tie with Rennes has been called off due to their Covid-19 crisis.

Antonio Conte revealed Spurs have 13 positive cases – eight players and five members of staff – which left them with ELEVEN fit senior players.

After talks with the Health Security Agency and government last night, Tottenham announced the Group G clash was postponed with the club’s Hotspur Way training ground closed.

As a result, Spurs’ Premier League fixture against Brighton at the Amex on Sunday will be in doubt.

And Prem rivals Leicester have also been hit by the virus after Brendan Rodgers confirmed they have had some positive cases before tonight’s Europa League tie at Napoli.

Spurs would have to play the rearranged fixture before the end of the month to remain in the competition.

SNOW GO

ATALANTA’S Champions League tie with Villarreal was called off due to a snowstorm – with the showdown for a last-16 place set back to Thursday.

The two sides returned to the snow-laden pitch to applaud their fans for turning out after the fierce blizzard meant play was impossible.

Whoever wins the clash will finish Group F runners-up to Manchester United.

And football chiefs intend to play what will be the final group match of this year’s tournament 24 hours later.

Referee Anthony Taylor was covered by an umbrella as he inspected the pitch, with his fellow officials smiling.

And kick-off was initially put back 20 minutes before Taylor bowed to the elements and postponed the crucial encounter.

ZENIT 3 CHELSEA 3

Timo Werner gave Chelsea the perfect start but it turned into a long night as they surrendered top spot in their Champions League group.

Recent problems with concentration returned to haunt them as the reigning European champions twice threw away the lead for the second game in a row.

They failed to capitalise on Werner’s opener after one minute and 23 seconds – the fastest goal in Chelsea’s Champions League history.

Zenit then took a surprise lead with two goals in three minutes and then pulled it back themselves four minutes into second-half injury time in a see-saw match that will feel like defeat for boss Thomas Tuchel.

Sloppy marking cost Chelsea dearly in the first half as on-loan midfielder Saul Niguez’s panicked clearance and rookie Malang Sarr’s slipshod marking gifted Zenit an equaliser in the 38th minute.

Three minutes after that Andreas Christensen, nutmegged for a goal at West Ham on Saturday, was caught in two minds which allowed Sardar Asmoun a perfect opportunity to make it 2-1 after rounding stand-in Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Romelu Lukaku’s first goal since spending five weeks out with an ankle injury pulled it level once more in the second half and Werner looked to have won it with a classy solo goal five minutes from time.

But yet another lapse in focus saw the Russians snatch a gutsy draw and deny Chelsea the luxury of first place in Group H by blasting home the third equaliser of the game deep into stoppage time.

MO WORRIES

Michael Owen has defended Chelsea’s decision to sell Mo Salah five years ago, insisting the Egyptian used to be an ‘average finisher’.

But Owen now believes Salah, 29, is an ‘unbelievable’ player, admitting the forward’s incredible rise has surprised him.

Salah scored his 20th goal in 21 games this season as Liverpool beat AC Milan 2-1 last night.

He now has 145 goals in 224 matches for the Reds, including an incredible debut season that saw him hit the target 44 times.

But things were very different for Salah during his time at Stamford Bridge after a 2014 switch

The hitman managed just two goals in 19 games before being shipped off on loan to Fiorentina and Roma.

Italy’s capital club then snapped Salah from Chelsea in 2016 up before selling to Liverpool in 2017.

And Owen reckons the goal-machine has come on leaps and bounds, claiming Chelsea could not have known how good Salah would be as he was ‘average’ at best in London.

Reflecting on Salah’s goal against Milan, Owen said: “He makes it look so easy, it’s not an easy finish at all.

“He takes it as it’s coming down. A yard lower the keeper saves it, a yard higher he saves it.

“He just makes it look easy. He was an average finisher earlier in his career and now he is just unbelievable.”

PLAN B

FOOTBALL fans will be forced to show ‘vaccine passport’ to enter grounds from this weekend.

Boris Johnson confirmed on Wednesday even that the government is adopting its Covid “Plan B” in a bid to stop the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Now, people will have to prove they are double vaccinated to go to matches and nightclubs, as well as working from home and adopting more mask-wearing rules.

Football will feel the immediate effect – with clubs having to enforce the new rules or prevent supporters from entering grounds from Wednesday.

Boris Johnson announced tonight that the NHS Covid pass will be mandatory in England in venues where large crowds gather – including football games.

Premier League clubs were warned of the likely imposition of the new regulations during last Friday’s virtual ‘shareholder’ meeting.

But while the clubs are braced for backlash and potential issues from fans who are told they cannot take up seats they have paid for without proof of double vaccination or immune status – they are ready for the challenge.